Dichroa Root
常山 · Cháng Shān
Traditional malaria-fighting practitioner herb
Properties
CoolingCooling botanicalBitter, Pungent
Concerns
What it does
Dichroa root traditionally treats malaria's recurring fever cycles. In TCM, it expels phlegm, which classical practitioners linked to those fevers. The active compound dichroine is structurally related to chloroquine, the modern malaria drug, and inspired early 20th-century research. It's also strongly emetic, meaning it induces vomiting. Toxic and strictly practitioner-only.
How to take it
Used only in practitioner-prescribed formulas at low doses (3–9g processed). Almost never used as a single herb today due to toxicity and harsh side effects.
See a practitioner. This is rarely used in modern TCM
Safety
- Toxic. Never self-prescribe or source raw material
- Strong emetic effect (induces vomiting). Often replaced by safer botanicals today
- Strictly avoid during pregnancy
- Modern antimalarial drugs are far safer for actual malaria treatment
- Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication
Where it comes from
Dichroa root has been used for malaria in TCM for over 1,500 years, documented in pharmacopeia from the Tang Dynasty. The plant grows in subtropical southern China, India, and Southeast Asia. In the 1940s, Chinese researchers isolated its alkaloids while looking for antimalarial alternatives during World War II shortages. The compounds turned out to be effective but too toxic for general use. Modern TCM uses it sparingly, replaced by safer options for most patterns.